Defensive lineman C.J. Wilson signs with Raiders

Mar. 29, 2014

C.J. Wilson signed Friday with the Oakland Raiders. File/Press-Gazette Media

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The Packers have lost their third free agent this offseason, defensive lineman C.J. Wilson.

Wilson, who turns 27 Sunday, signed with the Oakland Raiders today, the team announced. The Raiders general manager is Reggie McKenzie, who was a front-office executive with the Packers when they drafted Wilson in the seventh round in 2010.

Wilson was a backup defensive lineman for the Packers the past four seasons.The other Packers free agents to sign elsewhere this month are receiver James Jones, who also signed with the Raiders, and center Evan Dietrich-Smith, who signed with Tampa Bay.

Wilsonís time with the Packers in effect ended this offseason after they re-signed one full-time defensive lineman, B.J. Raji; re-signed another part timer, Mike Neal; and signed two other defensive linemen as free agents: Julius Peppers, who will play the defensive line and outside linebacker, and Letroy Guion.

The Packers havenít ruled out re-signing their remaining two free agent defensive linemen, Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, though the chances of either returning has diminished significantly because of the recent signings. Pickett is 34 and nearing the end of his career. Jolly is recovering from neck fusion surgery and probably wonít be cleared for football until this summer.